Adeel Akhtar

Adeel Hamayun Akhtar was born in London on September 18, 1980, to a Pakistani father and a Kenyan mother. He attended Cheltenham College during the 1990s and pursued a law degree, fulfilling his father’s aspirations. However, his true passion lay in acting, which led him to study at the Actors’ Studio in New York. His early career included significant stage appearances, such as playing Guildenstern in the Young Vic’s 2011 production of ‘Hamlet’.

Akhtar gained recognition for his television work, notably becoming the first non-white actor to win a BAFTA award for Best Actor for his role in the single drama ‘Murdered By My Father’ in 2017. His career continued to flourish with diverse roles across various platforms. In 2018, he appeared as the villainous Thenardier alongside Olivia Colman and Dominic West in the BBC’s serialization of ‘Les Misérables’. He also delivered notable performances in films like ‘Four Lions’ (2010), ‘The Big Sick’ (2017), and ‘Pan’ (2015), as well as TV series such as ‘Utopia’ (2013-2014) and ‘Sweet Tooth’ (2021-2024).

His career progression is marked by consistent critical acclaim and a range of challenging roles. He won the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Sherwood’ (2022) and the Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance for ‘Sweet Tooth’ (2023). Akhtar’s work demonstrates a continuous commitment to nuanced portrayals, establishing him as a respected and sought-after actor in the industry.